Who is Liverpool’s franchise player?
Ahead of the big game this weekend, I thought I would consider the topic of franchise player, and whether it applies to Liverpool. Yes, it is another term borrowed from the lexicon of American Sport, but it is a good one: think of the likes of Leo Messi, or Michael Jordan. These players define their teams for a generation.
The reason this is relevant before United face Liverpool is that United have arguably ‘found’ their franchise player in Bruno Fernandes. As Tom Worville pointed out on the Zonal Marking podcast, around 20% of the time Manchester United ‘use up’ their possession, it is Fernandes who has used it.
Fernandes is supported by stellar players in Rashford, McTominay and Maguire but it is he who defines this United side and makes Solskjaer’s system so effective.
Compare this to Liverpool, and you would have a harder time — you can make an argument for nearly a full eleven players.
First, Alisson. He is undoubtedly world class, and his importance is exacerbated by the less-than-ideal cover behind him. If Alisson was injured for an extended period of time, it would dampen Liverpool’s title hopes more than any other player.
But this is a point you could make about any goalkeeper: back-up goalkepers are never of high quality and if they prove themselves they swiftly move on (see Emi Martinez). Alisson is crucial, but he does not define this Liverpool side.
Someone who does is Trent Alexander-Arnold. Scouse, creative and severely underrated defensively, the young right-back has lots of boxes ticked for a franchise player. He is also unique in an attacking sense, operating like a regenerated David Beckham with crosses and incisive passes.
His switches of play to Andy Robertson are also a defining feature of this Liverpool side, and the Scotsman also has to be in the conversation. He is the epitome of a modern full-back, a rampaging winger more likely to dribble than Trent and even more sound defensively. His mentality also defines this side, turning into a different person while he is competing — something Messi can attest to.
One must also not forget Virgil Van Dijk, the PFA player of 2018/19. The rolls royce of a centre back has been missed since his injury, with his recovery pace, long, flat passes to the front three and his 1-on-1 ability unbeaten in world football. His goal threat is also underrated, delivering crucial headers against Bayern and United in the last two seasons.
Fabinho has filled the void well, with Jamie Carragher believing he has been Liverpool’s best player this season. But he does not define the team; similarly to Robertson, he is the epitome of his role, but his profile is not of particular note.
Gini Wijnaldum would be a brave choice, but he seems to understand Klopp’s system the best of any of Liverpool’s players. His availibility, press-resistance and tactical discipline are incredible, and the failure of the more flashy Naby Keita or Thiago (so far) to replace him in midfield are telling of the manager’s trust in him. His goal threat when he is released from his defensive role is also underrated, best defined by his impact coming on at half-time against Barcelona at Anfield.
Wijnaldum may be Klopp’s lieutenant, but the general is Jordan Henderson. Able to perform well as a 6 and an 8, the skipper has gone from strength to strength since Fabinho’s signing. His leadership is impeccable on and off the pitch, and his professionalism clearly sets the standards for the other players. It must not be forgotten that he is also a good footballer — versatile, disciplined and excellent at combining with Alexander-Arnold and Salah on the right.
Yet, the elephant in the room is that a franchise player has to be flashy. There has to be a spark. An excellent defensive midfield player like Fabinho or Wijnaldum simply do not qualify. Henderson’s leadership, or Trent’s creativity put their names in the ring but the franchise player surely has to be an attacker: someone influencing goalscoring directly.
That makes Firmino an interesting choice. Klopp has said that “he is the system”, but I would argue this puts him closer to Wijnaldum’s status than that of a franchise player. Yes, the brazilian is flashy, with his no-look goals and flicks, but in most games his role is far more important than that. He presses excellently, drops deep to combine play but his poor finishing leaves any viewer in no doubt that he remains a supporting act to Liverpool’s more effective attackers.
Mo Salah is Liverpool’s best attacker statistically; he consistently leads goal and assist charts, averaging 1 G/A a game so far this season. He is underrated partly because of how explosive his debut season for Liverpool was, but more significant is the perceived efficiency of Salah, rather than the aesthetic of a player he was compared to often in 2018/19: Hazard. He is selfish in front of goal, and this has let him down at times but you cannot argue against the numbers: he is Liverpool’s best attacker
But, a franchise player does not translate to best player; Salah’s brutal efficiency is incredible but he can be kept quiet. And when he does have his bad games, his technical deficiencies that can be forgiven when he scores every game are laid bare. A player like Sadio Mane is far easier to love: he is always smiling, he has given no interviews hinting at a move and he is not bad on the pitch either.
A versatile left winger, Mane can morph into several different roles in one game. He is a tricky winger who dominates nearly every full-back he faces, and possesses a goal threat with his frequent runs in behind. What makes him even more compelling is that he can also come inside as a number 10, allowing Robertson to overlap and himself to influence play centrally. Superb across the front three, Mane is Liverpool’s most ‘fun’ attacker.
Yet, can he really be a franchise player? His arrival did mark the true beginning of Klopp’s reign, performing superbly with Firmino and Coutinho in 2016/17. But, six goals this season is underwhelming and becomes even more so when you realise four of those came in the first five games. He has still been good this season, but a franchise player has to be more than good. They have to define.
The obvious truth is that Liverpool’s franchise player is not a player at all: it is their coach. Klopp has changed Liverpool from mid-table to the best team in Europe, and he has done so embodying the values of the club. He is passionate, incredibly competitive and fantastic tactically. His coaching should also be mentioned: the incredible recruitment of Michael Edwards is only praised because Klopp was able to improve the recruits so much.
It is rudimentary, but look at Liverpool’s first XI five years ago. Fabinho is a right back at Monaco, Van Dijk at Celtic. Henderson receiving abuse after every game, and Salah remembered for flopping at Chelsea. Klopp improves every player he works with, and that he is staying for the forseeable future will be intriguing.
Incredible in this first ‘cycle’, Klopp’s next test is doing it all over again. The world-class players I have mentioned are nearly all at or near their physical peaks right now, and there are question marks over whether Klopp will be ruthless when he has to be. The protracted talks with Wijnaldum suggest he will be, but the truth is that we do not know if it is Klopp refusing to match his contract demands or someone further upstairs.
2021 is the first year since Kiev that Liverpool have looked weak, and injuries have played a large role in that. So Klopp has a more pressing challenge than the impending rebuild: beating off Fernandes’ United’s challenge with no recognised centre-backs.
We should not paint Liverpool as underdogs, however, they have the best squad in the league aside from City. The difference is that Klopp has coached these players into fulfilling their potential, with Thiago being the only recognised world-class player signing for the club.
Pep’s failure to do the same, with City’s reliance on De Bruyne reflecting poorly on the team as a whole; they are more alike United than Liverpool in their balance of talent, especially after Sterling’s drop-off this year.
So, Klopp is alone at the top, and not only is he the best, he defines the club: Liverpool’s franchise star is Jurgen Klopp. It remains to be seen whether Guardiola or Solsjkaer can topple him, and the match on Sunday will be an interesting litmus test for the rest of the season.
